AACTE Board of Directors Election Now Open

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Last Call for Nominations to AACTE Board and Advisory Committees

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Have you been thinking about volunteering for a leadership position in AACTE, but put it off because of the pandemic? As life begins to return to a “new normal,” now is a great time to step forward. Educator preparation is an essential element of our nation’s recovery from the pandemic, and AACTE is at the center of national efforts to ensure that all students receive the expert instruction and support they need and deserve.

Deadline Extended for Nominations to AACTE Board and Advisory Committees

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Have you considered volunteering for a leadership position in AACTE? Whether you volunteer to lend your talent and expertise to one of AACTE’s programmatic advisory committees or seek a position on the Board of Directors, now is a great time to step forward. Educator preparation is an essential element of our nation’s recovery from the pandemic, and AACTE is at the center of national efforts to ensure that all students receive the expert instruction and support they need and deserve.

The nomination deadline has been extended so more AACTE members can take advantage of this fantastic professional opportunity. Nominations are now due by May 28 to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors or on of the following programmatic advisory committees:

Volunteering for a Leadership Position: If Not You, Then Who? If Not Now, Then When?

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Have you considered volunteering for a leadership position in AACTE? Whether you volunteer to lend your talent and expertise to one of AACTE’s programmatic advisory committees or seek a position on the Board of Directors, now is a great time to step forward.  Educator preparation is an essential element of our nation’s recovery from the pandemic, and AACTE is at the center of national efforts to ensure that all students receive the expert instruction and support they need and deserve.

Nominations are due by May 14 to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors or on of the following programmatic advisory committees:

Join AACTE’s Leadership

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

These are extraordinary times, and educator preparation is essential to our national recovery.  Now more than ever, your association needs committed, talented, and thoughtful leaders!

Are you ready to assume a leadership role in the national educator preparation community, or do you know someone who is? Nominate yourself or a colleague by May 14 to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors or a programmatic advisory committee.

AACTE is currently seeking applications from volunteers to stand for election as an at-large representative to the Board of Directors and to serve on the following programmatic advisory committees:

New Volunteer Leaders Take the Helm of AACTE

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

At the conclusion of the 2021 Annual Meeting, AACTE Board of Directors Chair Ann E. Larson (University of Louisville) passed a “virtual gavel” to incoming Chair Robert E. Floden (Michigan State University) and became the Immediate past chair of the Association. Larson and Floden will be joined on the AACTE Executive Committee by the following:

• Chair-elect Michael Dantley
  (Miami University of Ohio)
• Secretary Monika Williams-Shealey
  (Rowan University)
• At-large Member Patricia Alvarez-McHatton (Arizona State University)
• At-Large Member Kimberly White-Smith (University of La Verne)

New AACTE Report Tracks EPP Response to COVID-19 and Racial Injustice Crises

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

In October 2020, AACTE invited the chief representatives of its member institutions to complete a survey on how the twin crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice had affected their educator preparation programs and how they have responded to these crises. AACTE conducted a similar survey in April 2020, asking members about the immediate impact of COVID-19 on their educator preparation programs. A new report, released during the 2021 Annual Meeting, summarizes results from both surveys, tracking the evolving response of EPPs to these twin crises. 

Key findings include the following:

The Financial Crossroad of Teacher Education

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D. and Jane E. West

Administrators and faculty of educator preparation programs (EPPs) have long been concerned about the challenge of attracting students to a profession where college affordability and financial compensation discourages them from pursuing teaching as a career. However, due to the pandemic, the concern is growing. Our nation’s educational system is at a critical crossroad where teacher shortages and budget cuts are colliding. On one hand we have teachers who are retiring early amid health concerns or being furloughed, and on the other hand, we have EPPs with shrinking programs and enrollment. This is the perfect storm many education leaders have feared, and the impact will be acute if we do not find ways to encourage diverse and talented students to enter a career in education.

To start, we need to address the financial challenges that future educators face, including a high student loan debt to earnings ratio and lack of awareness of scholarships and loan forgiveness at the federal, state, and university levels. Recently, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) released the Issue Brief, How Do Education Students Pay for College?, based upon data from the 2015-16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). According to the data, by the time education students graduate, 76% of them have taken student loans, and the average amount they borrow is nearly $28,000.

AACTE Sends Policy Priorities to Biden-Harris Education Transition Team

By Jacqueline Rodriguez, Jane E. West, Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D. and Ward Cummings

The nation’s transition to the 46^th presidential administration are underway. AACTE provided the Biden-Harris Administration’s Education Transition Team with its policy priorities for the coming year. Much of AACTE’s priorities stem from its advocacy throughout the year to increase the federal investment in education in PK-20, with a specific focus on recruiting and sustaining candidates in its education preparation programs.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, educator preparation stands at a dangerous crossroad. The college and university programs that prepare our teachers, principals, school counselors, and other essential education professionals are experiencing a debilitating wave of closures and faculty layoffs.

Board of Directors Approves New Committee Appointments

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

At its September meeting, the AACTE Board of Directors appointed new members to the programmatic advisory committees, including two new committees on Educator Diversity and the Holmes Program. Congratulations to these AACTE members, who will assume these positions on March 1, 2021, and a special thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for these important volunteer leadership roles.

AACTE Survey Results: How Does Your Program Compare to Others?

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

If there is one thing we can all agree on, 2020 has been a year like no other.  To learn how COVID-19 and the racial injustice crisis have impacted educator preparation—and the steps EPPs are taking in response—AACTE conducted a survey this fall of its members. Here are a just a few of the findings:

• More than half of the respondents are using instructional designers to help faculty create online courses, and 75% have made new tools available such as simulations and video libraries.
• Only have of respondents reported that their state had modified or waived performance assessment requirements due to COVID-19.
• 60% of respondents reported declines in undergraduate enrollment.
• 70% of respondents have recently increased their investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Did you vote? AACTE Board of Directors Election

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Does it seem like elections never end these days?  Well, at AACTE democracy is working. AACTE has a convenient online voting system, and it will only take a moment to cast your vote for new leaders of your Association.

The 2020 election for the AACTE Board of Directors is underway through Friday, December 4. Two seats will be decided via online voting:

• One seat represents the Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions (CADREI)
• One seat represents the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU)

All AACTE All AACTE Institutional and Chief Representatives are eligible to vote for both positions, regardless of whether you work at a CADREI, TECSU, or other type of institution.  The slate is as follows:

AACTE Board of Directors Election Underway Through December 4

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

You may have thought that you were done voting for 2020, but there is one more important election this year. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about in-person or mail-in ballots. AACTE has a convenient online voting system, and it will only take a moment to cast your vote for new leaders of your Association.

The 2020 election for the AACTE Board of Directors is underway through Friday, December 4. Two seats will be decided via online voting:

• One seat representing the Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions (CADREI)
• One seat representing the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU)

All AACTE Institutional and Chief Representatives are eligible to vote for both positions, regardless of whether you work at a CADREI, TECSU, or other type of institution. The slate is as follows:

Webinar Features Results of AACTE Survey to COVID and Racial Injustice Crises

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

How are education leaders responding to the twin crises of the coronavirus pandemic and racial injustice? What can we learn from each other and how can AACTE best support its members as they navigate these unprecedented times?  A webinar on Wednesday, November 18 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET will feature the results of AACTE’s recent member survey and reactions from leaders in the field of educator preparation.

Upcoming Webinar to Address EPP Capacity to Respond to Teacher Shortages

By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, there were significant teacher shortages in many communities.  Since the pandemic began, teacher retirements and other departures from the profession have accelerated.  Can the nation’s higher education institutions meet the demand for new teachers, particularly in high-demand fields such as special education, STEM, and foreign language?  What do trends over the last decade portend for the future of educator preparation? 

An upcoming webinar will review the findings from two new AACTE issue briefs that address these questions:

• Institutions Offering Degrees in Education: 2009-10 to 2018-19
• Degree Trends in High-Demand Teaching Specialties: 2009-10 to 2018-19